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First ever WOA Development Officer appointed in Asia

21 | 8 | 2018

World Olympians Association has announced at a meeting of Asian Olympians Associations during the Asian Games in Jakarta the establishment of a new role to enhance the development of National Olympians Associations in Asia in the lead up to Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.

Singaporean Olympian Jovina Choo OLY joins the organisation as the WOA Development Officer for Asia in order to support the ongoing growth and expansion of NOAs in the region and raise the profile of the role Olympians play in society. Jovina is WOA’s first ever development officer.

Jovina competed in sailing at the 2016 Olympic Games before joining the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne on a 12-month internship last year. In her new role, Jovina will support the face-to-face delivery of WOA’s six-month pilot, initially working with five Asian NOAs including Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Philippines in order to assist with their development and increase their influence and effectiveness. Long-term, WOA hopes to make this position permanent in Asia and expand the programme to all five continents.

“I am honoured to be joining WOA in this exciting new role to advance the development of NOAs in my home region said Jovina Choo.

“I believe Asia has immense potential to support Olympians at all stages of their lives and that Olympians have the opportunity to be at the forefront of the Olympic movement. It is my privilege to embark on this journey with Olympians. I look forward to working with the National Olympian Associations across Asia to promote the role of Olympians, and to maximise their effectiveness in the lead up to Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.”

The announcement was made at the 2nd Olympians Associations of Asia Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, which brought together thirteen NOAs from across Asia to discuss and debate how they can better work together and in collaboration with National Olympic Committees and Athletes’ Commissions in order to support Olympians at all stages of their lives and to inspire Olympians to promote the Olympic values as ambassadors of sport and leaders in their communities.

Following the success of PyeongChang 2018 and with back to back Olympic Games coming up in Tokyo and Beijing, the focus of the sporting world is well and truly on Asia, presenting Olympians and the Olympic Movement with a fantastic opportunity to advance the practice of Olympism and leave a positive and lasting legacy for future generations. By harnessing the power of sport and building on the momentum generated by the Games, WOA hopes to also further the position and profile of its members

WOA President, Joël Bouzou OLY, said:

“I would like to warmly welcome Jovina Choo to the WOA team as our first Continental Development Officer. Jovina joins at a crucial time for WOA and the Olympic Movement in Asia and I am confident her support will prove invaluable as we progress the regional development of our member associations and maximise the impact and influence of our Olympians.”